Jones had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the top-seeded Blue Raiders (28-4), who face second-seeded Southern Mississippi for the championship Saturday.

Rowe had five points as Middle Tennessee scored the last six points of the first half for a 32-25 lead. Her basket 4 minutes into the second half made it 40-30. The Golden Panthers (15-18), playing their fourth game in four days, hung around until China Dow and Rowe scored four points each in an 8-0 burst that made it 56-43 with 5:37 left.

FIU, despite shooting 29 percent, was still within striking distance until MTSU made 6 of 8 free throws in the last minute.